Does it seem like it’s hard to have an impact from a little corner of the world? Here is St. Bede, a “bookworm” type, sheltered from the world, but passionate enough to create a voice heard for centuries.
Born in the Medieval Anglican Kingdom of Northumbria, in what is now northern England, Saint Bede made a significant impact on mankind while living of his life inside the walls of a Monastery. Entrusted to an abbot by his parents at the age of seven, Bede became Deacon at 19 and Priest at 30. Educated in scripture, lives of the saints, sciences, and history, Bede developed into a humble and trusting servant of God.
Among his more famous quotations are:
“All of the ways of this world are as fickle and unstable as a sudden storm at sea.”
“The life of man appears for a short space, but of what went before, or what is to follow, we are totally ignorant’
“Christ is the Morning Star, who, when the night of this world is past, gives to his saints the promise of the light of life, and opens everlasting day”
“I was no longer the center of my life and therefore I could see God in everything”
“Unfurl the sails, and let God steer us where He will.”
St. Bede is credited with writing 45 books on topics of history and faith during his lifetime. No small feat considering,
“I am my own secretary; I dictate, I compose, I copy all myself.”
Study and teaching were important to Bede’s path to sainthood and he embraced this path.
“I have devoted my life to the study of scriptures, observing monastic discipline, and singing daily services in church; studying, teaching and writing have always been my delight.”
Bede’s most famous work, Historia Ecclesiatica, is an account of the influence of Christianity in the unification of the disparate tribes and races of early Britain. It is written in a manner similar to Acts of the Apostles, where Luke relates the movement of the Church from Jerusalem to Rome, St. Bede introduces us to the Saints and missionary heroes who bring the gospel to tribal Kings and spread faith that brings a common bond to the people of the British Isles. Bede’s work shows how St. Alban, St Augustine, Pope Gregory the Great and numerous other bishops and monks influenced warlords and kings and ultimately brought faith in Christ to the non-Roman barbarian north.
St. Bede’s writings from the monastery were widely known during his lifetime. His work was read in churches and he was sought by kings and other people of importance, even Pope Sergius. Despite this notoriety, St. Bede remained true to his monastic calling and with the exception of one brief teaching expedition in the school of the Archbishop of York, he remained inside the Monastery of St. Paul, Jarrow all of his adult life.
St. Bede shows us how observing and understanding holy lives can supplement scripture on a personal path to a quality life. His discipline and devotion to learning on the journey to sainthood can be an inspiration to us all. He is the patron saint of scholars.
Links to Other Saints:
Saint Benedict
Saint Christopher
Ephram the Syrian
Gregory the Great
Leo the Great
Peter Canisius
